Edinburgh Marathon
It was a beautiful weekend to be lazing in the shade of a tree in Princess Street Gardens, but not to be running a marathon! Reports of temperatures hitting 26 degrees in some places along the course, very little breeze (which was warm), blue skies and no shade meant that this was always going to be a bit of a battle.
The marathon has grown in size over the years and the unseasonal weather meant that there were significant problems with the supply of water along the course, with many water stations running out even for those running around 4 hour pace. John Henderson was lucky enough not to be affected by this, but the heat was sapping and despite being on plan to around 22 miles, it eventually beat John and he slowed to survival pace to make it to the finish at Mussleborough Racecourse.
Despite John not achieving his intended target of sub 3:30, he still just about clung on and got a PB by 35 seconds, crossing the line in 3:37:31.
"It was a lovely course for a big city marathon though, and may well do it again, as long as I can have nice cool Scottish weather next time!"
John Nicholson completed his first marathon in a respectable time, given the conditions, of 4:46:42. "I did see one other Stubbie runner ahead of me but didn’t know who it was and the results aren’t searchable by club I’m afraid!" Report by John Henderson.